Starting problem

[ACCORDing2R]

I have had this problem for a few months now. It only happens 5-10% of the time, but when it does it's annoying not to mention embarrassing.

I get in, turn the key, the ignition comes on, but the car doesn't even crank. (as if I forgot to press down the clutch pedal)

Now I've been trying to diagnose and fix this problem for months, so in the process I have replaced my;

- clutch switch
- ignition switch
- main relay
- ground wires
- starter

tested my battery and all alternator connections, and so on...
My volt gauge is showing proper voltage, but the car just won't turn over.

Now here's the interesting part;

When this happens and the engine won't turn over, boosting it off another car does nothing. Push-starting it will start the car every time. If I'm on a slight downhill or I have another person helping me push and I get enough speed I can drop the clutch and start it every time. If I'm trying to push it myself and then jump in quick and start it, the minimal 'rolling speed' is obviously not fast enough to fire it up.
BUT
As I release clutch and hear that flywheel/starter engagement click, I then try to turn the key and the car starts perfectly.
So my theory is; that somehow, the starter teeth are not catching the flywheel teeth or getting jammed, and once the car is rolling and I get the flywheel to move by letting the clutch go, even if it's a rolling speed too low to fire up the car, it will do something in there and the car will start using the starter.


The motor is H22 with an OEM starter and Fidanza aluminum flywheel. This is my second Fidanza flywheel and my second starter. I had no problems with my first setup for years and years.

Also forgot to mention that the battery is relocated to the trunk, and is connected directly to the started via a 2 gauge monster cable. I had this setup for over 5 years and it never gave me problems before. But regardless... the car always has enough juice, and boosting it or installing a new battery does nothing.

Please help.

[JDM_CB7_TX]

Refer to this link I had the same problems yesterday and this morning.....Starting Issues....As far as you manualing cranking the car over(Popping Clutch) it will turn over everytime. Correct me if I am wrong. In most cases this will work for you.

I am thinking that your battery may have a bad cell or the cell is getting there. When was the last time that you replaced the battery? Good Luck with your issues. Trust me I feel your pain....Almost $300 later and I am back on the road. But the car runs like a champ!

[dbsharp]

take your car to autozone and have the battery tested, it is free. this dosen't sound like a battery but why not eliminate that possibility? I would take off the starter and look at the teeth on it and the flywheel, inspect everything. It may also be a good idea to hove someone check the voltage at the stater when you are trying to crank it.

[ACCORDing2R]

It's getting good voltage. Inspected all the teeth both on starter AND flywheel. Everything seems normal. I tried putting in a brand new battery, and the same problem occurred, so I returned it for a full refund. I dunno... maybe it is a dead cell or something stupid like that. I hate frustrating problems like these.

[dbsharp]

You can take your starter off and bring it into autozone and have it bench tested.

[ACCORDing2R]

It works sometimes and sometimes it doesn't. What if during the test it's gonna work fine?

The weirdest thing is;

I park my car in the underground garage overnight, and it's a lot warmer in there than outside. This morning when I got in my car it wouldn't start after standing in a warm garage, so I push started it and went to work. At work my car was parked outside for 8 hours straight in blistering -16C cold, and when I was done my shift it fired right up without hesitation.

Since the starter could be the problem i did a little experiment today. I tried turning the key to the STARTER position when the car was already idling. I closed my eyes and braced myself for that annoying (fingernails over chalkboard) screeching sound, and nothing.
No screeching noise at all! Only the lights dimmed and the voltage dropped when i turned the key. So I was like; I guess it is the starter then. I tried the same experiment 20 minutes later, and I got the screeching noise that starters make when you turn the key while the car is already on. So now I'm completely confused.

[C91BLX7]

Sounds kinda like the starter its self.

[9tAkord]

There are two switches on the clutch pedal. One is a starter switch and one is a inhibiter switch. Did you change them both?

[ACCORDing2R]

There are two switches on the clutch pedal. One is a starter switch and one is a inhibiter switch. Did you change them both?

INHIBITOR SWITCH??


Never heard of that. What does/should it do? I only have one switch. The other one that should be there and isn't I always thought was to disable the cruise control.

[Otto]

Sounds kinda like the starter its self.

Yeah, thinking same thing. Sounds like juice it getting to the starter, either the solenoid isn't pushing the starter gear out to meet the flywheel. You seem to have power draw but no engagement.

And when you check for power at the starter. You're looking for power to the small starter signal wire when the ignition switch is turned to the Start position

[Otto]

INHIBITOR SWITCH??


Never heard of that. What does/should it do? I only have one switch. The other one that should be there and isn't I always thought was to disable the cruise control.

I'm thinking that's the same one he's talking about.

[dbsharp]

no clutch safety switch ftw!!

[N9netwoAccord]

do the lights dim or anyhting when you turn the key?
i had a problem like this and it turns out i didn't have a good connection at my battery terminals.

i'd say try that or the starter.

[ACCORDing2R]

do the lights dim or anyhting when you turn the key?
i had a problem like this and it turns out i didn't have a good connection at my battery terminals.

i'd say try that or the starter.

Well I don't have my lights on when I'm trying to start the car, but the volt gauge drops from a healthy 12 volts all the way down to 8 when i turn the key. BUT the same thing happens when everything is working and the car cranks and starts. For a second or two during cranking, the volt gauge also drops to 8, but it seems normal to me.